If you had to make a spontaneous arcanist....

[Heretic Apostate]

Okay, let's start with three basic assumptions. One, I want a spontaneous arcanist (arcane spellcaster). Two, I'd like spellbooks to still be a necessity. Three, I'd like the class to be balanced against the sorceror and the wizard.

Now, given these assumptions, what would you put in to make the class?

Here are my random ramblings.

Perhaps something like using a spells known table to say how many spells an arcanist can hold in reserve? That way, the entire list isn't available for every for casting. And maybe taking away the spontaneous casting full-round penalty? Maybe lowering the rate at which the arcanist receives metamagic/magic item creation feats?

How about something that lets the arcanist choose between a familiar and some other benefit?

 

[Heretic Apostate]

[size=+2]BUMP [/size]

 

[Crothian]

Many people use the spells inreserve as you've said. I'd leave the full round for spontanious meta magic, unless you specifically prepare the spell meta magiced. If you do this I'd keep scribe Scroll but move it to 2nd level and have bonus feats at 6, 12, and 18.

 

[Eternalknight]

Go here and look under optional rules or here or have a look at the alternate arcane spellcaster thread to see something similar to what you are proposing.